The holidays are here. What are you saying YES to?

The holidays are upon us. And that means lots of articles and blogs about how to “survive” this time of the year. Survive? Really? Is that what the holidays are about?

It seems to me that so many articles about the holiday are all about saying no. NO to spreading yourself too thin with overscheduling. NO to spending too much money. NO to letting yourself fall off the wagon on maintaining your diet.

No, no, no!

I can’t help but wonder if we become so focused on the importance of saying no that we end up setting ourselves up to view the holidays with dread instead of anticipation. As if the holidays are a big danger zone we are entering into, with survival depending on digging in our feet and holding firm to a rigid set of rules.

And that also makes me wonder if, by focusing on the no, we turn the holiday into an opportunity for stress. And prepare ourselves accordingly.

Hold steady! Catastrophe ahead!

It’s hard to maintain balance during the holiday season. And sure, you don’t want to completely deplete yourself over the holiday season or throw your treatment regimen – and your health – out of whack. Understood.

But here’s an idea: How about shifting the focus away from saying no and toward what you can say yes to? The word no is a show stopper. It is all about what you can’t do. Yes, on the other hand, implies possibilities. Maybe not without limits, but a whole lot more possibilities than no.

In other words, how about looking at what you can allow yourself over the holiday? What you can say YES to?

I just wrote an article about saying yes to the holidays. Here a link:

43 replies

I said yes to my health and made sure I had on hand what I needed to eat to stay on track. I had fun with friends and family and went out to eat and had a very good piece of salmon. I have lost 6 pounds since Nov. 14th Dr. appointment. YES…I am very happy with me so that is a good thing. I have not been on for a while.

Hi Dr Gary,I am saying yes to enjoying some of my favorites, I will of course have to adjust the recipes a little. I did the same thing for Thanksgiving and on my Friday appointment with my Endo doctor she said I loss 10 more pounds and my blood sugar levels are good.

Hi Dr. Gary,it's hard to add to all these wonderful answers. But the one thing I'm very grateful for is my relationship wiith James. It will be a wonderful Christmas as he's coming here for Christmas thru New Year's day. I am saying yes to my eating plan and keeping ,my Bg at a normal rate. I am saying yes to continuing on with Diabetes Awareness month from November. I'm saying yes toportraying. Peace and harmony toward my fellow man. I am saying yes to the festivities the holidays has to offer. I say yes too all the wonderful answers given. I'm online with some truele wonderful friends. Thanks for posting Dr. Gary mm Happy Holidays to you and your loved ones. Hugs, VL

It is so nice to hear from you. I am happy that James will be joining you for Christmas and to welcome in 2015. That's awesome! It sounds like you are really keeping the spirit of the holiday in your heart. It's great to be part of this incredible community, I agree!

Dear Dr. Gary, it will be a lovely Christmas this year because i know what to do. i will be very careful to test my bg to make sure i am in the zone. this will allow me to enjoy all the festivities and time with family and friends. if i behave myself i will enjoy! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year Dr. Gary! thanks for this discussion :)

I'm saying yes to allowing myself to be happy this holiday season.I'm saying yes to a tree despite a new kitten who will probably tear it down at least once a day.I'm saying yes to my bank account and keeping faithful to it.I'm saying yes to my health plan and keeping my BG under tight control.I'm saying yes to my exercise plan and sticking with it.I'm saying yes to my son even when I want to say no.I'm saying yes to the Salvation Army kettle bell ringers when I have a spare quarter.I'm saying yes to the holiday music as I make fudge in the kitchen.I'm saying yes to getting in the spirit of the season for the first time in years.

I said yes to singing in the choir and I am really enjoying it.I am saying yes to lots of social gatherings and I'm enjoying the full calendar.I am saying yes to some old traditions such as advent candles, nativity plays and watching my favorite Christmas movies.I am saying yes to being more laid back and less scheduled this holiday season.I am saying yes to experimenting with some new, diabetic friendly recipes.I am saying yes to sending more Christmas cards this year and indulging the grandchildren.I am saying yes to getting out more and trying new activities.I am saying yes to passing the torch to extended family and not feeling as though I have to make Christmas happen for everyone else.

This is great! I am right there with you on the movies. I say "White Christmas" for probably the 40th time over Thanksgiving. And glad you are sharing the workload on the holiday celebrations. Nice to see you!

I am saying yes to the following-Yes to having fun with the family-Yes to not caring if the house is a little messy-Yes to making sure our little 4 legged bundle of joy spends his first Christmas in a warm house with a warm bed and new toys. His first Christmas was a muddy mess. Though he was taken care of he lived in a muddy yard in the cold.-Yes to finishing up the Coat Drive with the Police Department and distributing the coats to those in need.-Yes to going with my friends on our field trip to the Inner Harbor with the Police Commissioner for the Menorah Lighting. None of us are of the Jewish Faith but we want to show our respect for those who are.-Yes to making a special dish for our monthly meeting with the Police Commissioner. The nine Community Council Presidents are feeding him, his Command Staff and our District Commanders. -Yes to taking time for myself and enjoying a good book-Yes to playing my Christmas Music as loud as I want. I have no neighbors on either side of me so no one will complain

It is the holiday season and I am not going to spend it worrying about what I don't have. I am happy and grateful for what I do have.

Hi Joyce! That is quite a list and it all sounds great, giving to yourself, and giving a lot to others. I know you will be a blessing to many people in your life this Christmas. I broke out my music, too. Thanks for sharing this. And have a great time! Gary

Advent has begun, I wait in hopeful anticipation for Christmas. Sometimes friends want to get together and eat, I do, I like to just go walk the mall early in the day, I say yes to family if invited over but, usually I stay home with my family, my Momis important and she and I may go and enjoy some coffee together, with the lossof her Son my older Brother we tend to help each other and try to be "happy".I don't go out and spend money I don't have either..so I just plan to take care of myself still.

Hi elizag, it sounds like you have found a way to enjoy the holiday that is personally meaningful for you. That's great. It is those quiet moments that can be so memorable and special, and I am sure you mom appreciates having you there. I hope you enjoy your time together. Gary

Christmas is such a special time of the year and i intend to enjoy myself. i say yes to family and friends and good food and drink. i say yes to not over indulging and allowing my bg to be affected. i will just temper myself and enjoy but i will be careful to select the foods and drinks that are the most healthful. i will say no to lows and highs and yes to keeping my bg in the zone. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all!

I am saying yes to giving myself permission to say no to other peoples traditions that stress me out. Also I am saying yes to giving my permission to my friends and family to do the same thing in regard to my traditions. I am setting myself, friends and family free this holiday season. Happy and stress free holidays to you all.

Oh I love this point of view.
Yes to sitting by the fire with the ones I love
Yes to decorating the tree, filling it with memories. Old and new
Yes to walking in the neighborhood looking at all lights
Yes to celebrating the winter solstice
Yes to baking cookies to share and sending cards to cheer
Yes to gatherings and goofy secret Santa gifts
Yes to spending a little more on the ones I love
Yes to a new year of new promise and adventure

I am saying yes to giving myself permission to say no to other peoples traditions that stress me out. Also I am saying yes to giving my permission to my friends and family to do the same thing in regard to my traditions. I am setting myself, friends and family free this holiday season. Happy and stress free holidays to you all.

Rosalie, that is a good way to take care of yourself over the holidays. Focus on what makes you happy and share your happiness with the people who you are close to in your life. Choose happiness over stress! Gary

Hey James, so glad you are heading off to Texas for the holidays. I know you will making her holiday a lot brighter. And nice you are getting some family time in before you leave. A great holiday ahead for you. Aren't Christmas Ever services a great way to celebrate? Enjoy! Gary

A great article. Thank you for posting it. I am saying yes to having fun with my grandsons before they leave to visit their dad. Next Friday night, we are having a "Polar Express Party." We will have 15 girls and boys over to have a dinner of hot dogs, chips & soda followed by watching the movie "Polar Express." We're stopping the movie after the hot chocolate scene to have our own cups of hot chocolate and snacks. The boys are so excited. Then, we are going out to see Christmas decorations. When they return from visiting their dad and we celebrate at our house, we are making cookies for our neighbors and chillin for a few days.

Hey deb, thanks a lot! I am glad this was helpful to you. Wow, that is quite a crowd you have coming your way. Sounds like a lot of fun. What a great tradition. You are creating some great memories! Enjoy! Gary

I will say yes to any party I am invited to. However, I will eat something before I go so that I don't overeat the wrong things while at the party. Saying yes, helps me avoid being alone and lonely during the holidays.